Leather cropping from hides



Feb. 2, 1965 c. c. JARNAGIN LEATHER CROPPING FROM HIDES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1963 INVENTOR [LAL/DE I. LARA/45m A TTUHNEY.

Feb. 2, 1965 c. c. JARNAGIN 3,167,984

LEATHER CROPPING FROM HIDES Filed March 28, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 2 INVENTOR EL AL/DE E. /A RWAGIN A T TUENEY- 1965 c. c. JARNAGIN LEATHER CROPPING FROM mass 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 28, 1963 INVENTOR. CLAUDE L/A/FNAG/N L ATTUHNEY- Feb. 2, 1965 c. c. JARNAGIN LEATHER CROPPING FROM HIDES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 28, 1965 INVENTOR. CLAUDE C JA/PNAG/N BY M41,

A TT/JRNE Y.

United States Patent Office easiest Patented Feb. 2, 1965 3,157,)34 LEATHER CRGLPENG FRQM l-HDES m Claude Q. Ilarnagin, Newport, Toma, assignor t9 @wnrt 8.: Eornpany, Qhicago, ill., a corporation of Hlnnois Filed Mar. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 263,799 6 tjlaiinsi (El. S id- 34) The present invention relates generally to the cropping of hides or leather; and more specifically deals with an improved method for semi-automatically cutting the marginal areas from the belly and shoulder sections of 9.

hide.

In the leather industry, it is necessary to trim the uneven marginal portions of a hide, including the portions of the skin which covered the legs of an animal, from the more uniform central areas of the hide. Previously this function has been performed by hand at a substantial labor cost due to the requisite level of skill required by the trimmers.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved method for semi-automatically trimming the hides and reducing the labor and level of skill required of an operator.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro vide an improved method for semi-automatically trimming hides in a uniform manner so that the resultant portions of trimmed leather obtained from a plurality of hides are more similar to one another.

Basically, the method of this invention involves the cropping of a hide simultaneously along two spaced lines across the belly section and then the shoulder section of the hide. The spaced lines converge slightly across the belly section and more rapidly converge across the shoulder section. Cutting is accomplished by moving the hide past a pair of cutting means when cropping one section; and moving the cutting means across the hide when cropping the other section.

The preferred method involves the feeding of successive individual hides, butt end first, into a pair of spaced parallel cutting means and simultaneously moving the cutting means toward one another so as to enable cutting of the hide along two spaced, substantially longitudinal, and slightly converging lines. Feeding of the hide into the cutting means is halted when the belly portion has been trimmed at both sides to points adjacent the shoulder area of the hide. Thereafter converging of the cutting means is ceased and the latter are turned inward through a fixed angle and the shoulder trimming is accomplished by advancing the cutting means across the stationary hide to enable the trimming of the shoulder portion along two spaced and more rapidly converging lines to the neck end of the hide.

The apparatus of the invention for performing the foregoing method comprises a conveying means for advancing successive hides in a given direction, and a plurality of cutting means positioned just above the upper surface of the conveyor means. A pair of the cutting means are positioned generally longitudinally of the conveyor means adjacent the edges thereof. These cutting means are carried on movable means which in turn are supported on mounting means, the latter being adapted to move the cutting means toward one another when the conveying means is in motion. Additionally the mounting means are pivotable through a fixed angl upon command of an operator; and the movable means mounted thereon, supportingthe cutting means, is connected to move the cutting means generally longitudinally with respect to the conveying means also on command of an operator.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation taken from the left end of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus, with certain parts omitted, taken from the right end of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the apparatus;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a hide with the cropping pattern marked thereon.

When cropping hides in accordance with the present invention, it is first preferred to position two parallel cutting means for making the belly cuts in accordance with the size of the hide. Accordingly, an operator first examines a hide to be cropped and moves a pair of longitudinal cutting means toward or apart from one another. Thereafter, the hide is moved, but end first, in a given direction along a path into the two cutting means. As the hide approaches the cutting means, it is lifted slightly to engage the latter. Cutting of the hide to trim the belly margins therefrom is then accomplished while the hide is moving.

Concurrently, the cutting means are moved toward one another, while maintaining the direction of cut substantially longitudinal to the movement of the hide, so that the belly of the hide is trimmed at a slight taper converging toward the shoulder area. Preferably the two cuts at each side of the hide are at an angle of about three degrees to the line of motion of the hide. When cutting reaches points adjacent the shoulder area of the hide, movement of the hide is halted and the converging of the cutting means is ceased. Immediately the cutting means are turned inwardly to assume an angle to the center line of the hide so as to trim the shoulder portion thereof at an even greater taper. Preferably, the latter angle is approximately eight degrees. When the cutting means are turned to the required angle, they are advanced across the remaining portion of the hide to the neck end thereor" to complete the trimming while the hide is maintained stationary.

Thereafter the cutting means are stopped and, subsequently, returned to their original position. If desired,

" a final transverse cut may be made across the hide to separate the belly from the shoulder portion. Where utilized, the final cut is made after advancing the hide in the given direction a further distance to clear the aforementioned points adjacent the shoulder area from the pair of cutting means. An additional cutting means is then moved transversely across the hide between the aforementioned points at which locations the angle of the previously mentioned cutting means was changed.

During the longitudinal trimming steps the side marginal areas of the hide cut away from the belly and shoulder portions are removed by gravity in that, as the hide is cropped, the weight of the trimmed pieces separates the latter from the belly and shoulder portions. When trimming is completed, the remaining portions of the hide are advanced further in the same direction and removed.

A novel apparatus devised for carrying out the foregoing method is shown in FIGURES 1 through 5. The operating portions of the apparatus may be conveniently suspended within a frame generally 10. A conveying means is provided across the frame, preferably in the form of an endless conveyor 11 trained about a pair of drums 12 and 13. The conveyor 11 is driven by means of a suitable attached motor and clutch assembly generally 14, which may be actuated to start and stop the conveyor upon the command of an operator.

In the preferred embodiment the endless conveyor surface is comprised of a plurality of wooden slats 16 Also an operating conveyor speed of 50 feet per minute has proven satisfactory.

A superstructure generally 18 extends above the frame generally over the endless conveyor 11. The superstructure supports, as will hereinafter be explained in detail, the parallel pair of longitudinal cutting means and additionally the transverse cutting means. superstructure 1 8 is comprised of a plurality of upright members 19 at either side of the conveyor and a number of longitudinal crossbars 207and transverse crossbars 21 at the top thereof. It will be noted in FIGURE 4, for example, ithatthere'a're twolongitudinal crossbars 20 at either side -of the device and three transverse crossbars 21.

Hidesto be processed in the apparatus are. generally 'of thejshape shown in FIGURE 6. According to the present invention, the hides are to'be cropped along two substantiallylongitudinal converging linesr shown at A-C and AC' in FIGURE 6. The transverse cut will be "made along the line marked B-B' in that figure. As mentioned,'j'the hide is moved butt end'first in the direction indicatedby 'the'arrow in FIGURE 6 and into the apparatus on the conveyor 11 in-th'e direction of the arrow shown in FIGURE 4. The aforementioned transverse crossbars 21 are located one each at either end of the 'superstructure f18-(crossbars 21a and 210), and the third support rails 22 and 23. The support rails are movable transversely of the apparatus (with respect to the endless 1conveyo'r"11).on.a plurality of ball bearing slides 24 which areniounted onthe last mentioned transverse crossbars 21b, 21c." The support rails 22', 23 form a part of -a'movable' mounting means'for a pair of longitudinal 'chtting assemblies generally 26 and 27. The aforementioned transversecutting'means comprises a similar transopposite to one another. Provision is also made for moving the support rails 22, 23, manually through a hand wheel 40 secured to a shaft 41 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 42 secured to one side of the superstructure 18. A chain 43 passes about a sprocket on the shaft '41 and another sprocket mounted in common with one of the sprockets '33. Thus, at any time, except when the chains 31, 32 are driven by the motor and clutch assembly 38, the support rails 22, 23 may be moved toward or away from one another by driving the chains manually through the hand wheel 40.

Again referring to the mounting means for the two longitudinal cutting assemblies generally 26, '27, it wilB tially identical. Therefore a description of the mounting means for one cutting assembly will apply to both.

Depending from each of the support rails'22, 23 are pivotable angle pieces 46 which are rotatablysecured to the :respective support rail by means of a pivot bearing 47.

A vertically adjustable strap 48is adjustably fastened, by

' bolts or the like, to the vertical portion of angle piece 46. At the opposite end of the respective support rail,

rail. 22 for example, is mounted an arcuate plate and -trac k 49. A bracket 50 rides upon the track of the arcuate plate 49 on a plurality of ball bearings. De-

pending from the bracket 50 is a vertically adjustable strap 52 adjustably'secured to the former with bolts 01' the like.

tween the two aforementioned vertically adjusted straps An inverted T-shaped rail 53 is fastened be- 48,32. Thus it will be seen that the rail 53 extends generally longitudinally of the endless conveyor lland is spaced thereabove at an. adjustable elevation.

. The foregoing elements of the mounting means are piv ,ot ed, upon the command of an operator, by means of pneumatic cylinders 56 which are mounted upon the respective support rails 22, 23 near the arcuate plate and track 49. The piston-rodof the pneumatic cylinders 56 {(not shown) are connected bet-ween each of the forward and reverse ends of the pneumatic cylinders 56 and a verse cutting assembly generally 28, which is conveniently mounted below the internal transverse crossbar 21b.

The aforementioned support rails 22,23 are connected together .to-be moved in unison upon the 'ball' bearing slides '24 eit her toward or away from one'another by 'a converging drive means. Such a converging drive means may take the form of the illustrated apparatus comprising a pairjof parallel endless chains 31, 32 trained transversely above the support rails 22, 23 and around a plurality of sprockets33, whereby bothruns of ea'ch chain cross just above the support rails. The aforementioned sprockets 33 are rotatably supported in a similarnumber of bear- }ings Knot;shown).v The two endless chains 31', 32 :are connected by a further: interconnecting :chain 35 trained about spr'ockets mounted in common 'with two of the sprockets 33 atone side of the superstructure '18. One

"chains 31, 32; thesu'pport rails 22 and 23-being'connected 1o opposite 'ru'ns of the two chains with respect to one another.

- It will followfthat upon actuation of the motor and *clutch assembly'38, corresponding runs of the two endless ch'ains 31, 32' will 'be' driven in the same direction and the two support rails 22, "23 will, therefore, be moved suitable control valve and source 'of air. under pressure (also not shown), In the preferred form of the apparatus .the arcuateplate and track assembly 49 is'of such'dimen .sion, with respect to the distance from the pivot bearing 47 to limit the movement of the inverted T-shaped rail .53, suspended thereunder, to an angle of eight degrees from the direction of'motion of the endless eonveyor -ll. .Both-of the rails 53 aremovable' from positions parallel to the conveyor to positions angled toward the center line of the conveyor.

.Movable means for supporting each of the longitudinal cutting assemblies 26, 27. is positioned on each 'of the rails 53. The movable means is'in the form of a trolley,

generally 60, the details of which are shown in FIGURE 5.v The trolley 60is comprised of'an inverted Ll-sha'ped carriage 61 which is supported on the horizontal web of .the rail 53 bymeans of a plurality. of pairs of rollers 62 llwhich contact both the upper and lower surface'of the rail. The normal position of the carriage 61 upon rail V 53 is at the extremeend in the direction of motion of the endless conveyor 11., A mounting cover 63 rests upon the carriage 61 and is connected thereto by a pivot pin 64 at the opposite end of the carriage, with respect to the direction of the conveyor movement.

Each cutting assembly 26, '27, is secured to the lower end of the respective cover 63 which extends below the trolley 60. In the preferred form of the apparatus the cutting assembly includes a rotatable circular knife-blade 65 mounted upon a shaft 66 whichis rotatably supported 'ina pair of pillow bearings 67 fastened to the bottom of the mounting cover 63. A sheave is mounted on the shaft 66 between the cover and knife and is driven by a belt 69 which is trained about the sheave 68 and the pulley of an electric motor set generally 70.

The cutting assembly also includes a plow-shaped foot 73 which extends from the mounting cover 63 behind and below the knife blade 65. The lower portion of the foot 73 extends closely spaced above and parallel to the upper run of the endless conveyor 11, and contains a slot 74 for the edge of the circular knife 65. A hide carried by the endless conveyor 11 will be lifted slightly from the conveyor surface by the foot 73 whereupon it will be presented to the circular knife 65 in a position to be cut thereby.

Since a portion of each hide is to be cut by the longitudinal cutting assemblies 26, 27 while the endless conveyor 11 is stationary, and after the cutting assemblies have been turned inward from their normal longitudinal attitude, the movable means for carrying the cutting assemblies includes a reciprocal drive generally 77 for moving the trolleys generally 60 from one end of rails 53 to the other. The reciprocal drive comprises a pair of endless chains 78 trained about respective pairs of sprockets 79, 30 which are rotatably mounted at each side of the apparatus frame generally 10. The endless chains 78 are horizontally trained at about the level of the trolleys generally 6t and are positioned parallel to and above the edges of the endless conveyor 11. Suitable slats 81 may be mounted on the frame superstructure 18 for supporting the sprockets 79, 80 about which the endless chain 73 is trained.

A link arm 82 is pivotally connected to each of the endless chains 78 at corresponding points thereon. Each link arm 82 is in turn connected to opposite ends of a drive bar 83 which extends transversely across and above the conveyor 11. Each of the trolleys generally 60 is slidingly connected to the drive bar 83 and will move with unison therewith when the endless chains 78 move the link arms 32. The connection between the trolleys generally 60 and the drive bar 83 may be in the form of a pin and slot to permit sliding movement of the trolleys along the drive bar so as to enable the cutting assemblies 26, 27 to converge when moved along the pivoted rails 53 in a direction opposite to the normal motion of conveyor 11.

The two endless chains 78 are driven from a common drive shaft 85 extending between the runs of the conveyor 11 and drivingly connected to each of the sprockets 8th by additional chains 66. A sheave 87, secured to the drive shaft 85, is connected by a drive belt 88 to a motor pulley and clutch assembly generally 89. Chains 78 could equally well be driven by a similar power train mounted atop the superstructure 18. It may be noted that during operation of the cutting assembly if there is any tendency to jam or snag the knives 65 or feet 73 the mounting cover 63 will pivot upwardly from the trolley carriage 61 and permit the operator to stop the apparatus before damage can be done.

The transverse cutting means and the mounting means therefore is very similar to corresponding elements hereinbefore described in connection with the longitudinal cutting means and its mounting means. However, the location of the transverse mounting means is fixed and is not pivotable. As may be seen best in FIGURE 1, the transverse mounting includes brackets 91 which extend down wardly from the longitudinal crossbars 20 of the frame superstructure 18 at about the location of the internal transverse crossbar 21. Suitable adjustable straps 92 are connected to the brackets 91 by bolts or the like; and an inverted T rail 93 (best seen in FIGURE 2) extends between the straps 92. It will be apparent that the latter rail 93 is adjusted to the same level as the hereinbefore described rails 53.

The cutting assembly generally 28 is substantially identical with the longitudinal cutting assemblies generally 26 and 27, and may be interchangeable therewith. It

comprises a trolley generally 94, including a pivotable mounting cover, and a circular knife 95 and motor 96 therefor. Also a transversely movable means is provided to drive the trolley generally 94 along the length of rail 93. In the illustrated apparatus a link arm 97 is pivotally connected directly to the trolley M and also to an overhead chain 98 which is trained about a pair of sprockets 99 rotatably journaled in the forwardmost transverse crossbar 21. A drive motor and clutch assembly generally 109 is also mounted on the last mentioned crossbar and connected to an adjacent sprocket 99 for driving the chain 98 upon actuation by an operator.

It is preferred that, in each of the plurality of aforementioned motor and clutch assemblies, the apparatus include pneumatically operated clutches which may be powered from the same source of air under pressure that is connected to the pneumatic cylinders 57 Additionally the usual and Well-known individual controls for each of the electric motors and/or drive motor and clutch assemblies, and the pneumatic cylinders, are located at a panel, not shown, at one side of the apparatus for control by an operator.

In the course of operation the operator will observe a hide approaching the cropping apparatus and accommodate the space in between the longitudinal cutting assemblies 26 and 27 in accordance with the dimensions of each hide by appropriately turning the manual drive wheel 4t). Thereafter the motor and clutch assembly 14 for the endless conveyor 11 is actuated to advance the hide into the apparatus, and simultaneously the drive motors 7% for the longitudinal cutting assemblies 26, 27 are energized. When the hide first reaches the circular knives 65, the attendant also actuates the motor and clutch assembly 38 to the converging drive means which operates endless chains 31, 32 in a direction to move the support rails 23, 24, and associated cutting assemblies 26, 27, respectively, toward one another at a preset rate so that the substantially longitudinal belly cuts made on the hide converge slightly. In actual practice it has been found desirable that each of the belly cuts follow a pattern at approximately three degrees to the center line of the hide. Thus, for example, it is convenient to simultaneously drive the endless conveyor 11, at a speed of approximately 50 feet per minute, and the endless chains 31, 32 of the converging drive means at a lineal speed of approximately 31 inches per minute. The cropping pattern is shown in the plan view of a hide in FXGURE 6 wherein each of the longitudinal cutting assemblies 26, 27 will first make cuts along the lines marked A-B and A'B'.

When the operator observes that the conveyor 11 has advanced the hide to a point where the belly cuts are completed to points B and B adjacent the shoulder area of the hide, he stops the conveyor 11 and actuates the pneumatic cylinders 56 to turn the rails 53 inwardly the desired angle for the shoulder cut to be made from points B and B to the points C and C. Concurrently with halting the conveyor 11, the converging drive means comprising the motor and clutch assembly 38 is also deactivated. Thereafter, while the endless conveyor is halted, the motor and clutch assembly 89 is actuated by the operator, to drive the endless chains 78 and move the trolleys tit), and associated cutting assemblies 2d, 27, toward the shoulder end of the hide. Thus the hide is cropped along the lines BC, and BC. Thereafter the trolleys 69 will be returned to their first, or normal, position and the motor and clutch assembly 89 is disengaged. At this time the knife motors 7% may be deenergized, although this is not absolutely necessary as the cropped margins of the hide will fall away by their weight from the conveyor and the trimmed hide will be between the knives. The operator then again energizes the motor and clutch assembly 14 of the endless conveyor 11 for a brief period to bring the points BB on the hide in line with the path of the transverse cutting assembly generally 28. The conveyor is then again 7 halted andv the knife motor .96 and trolley drive motor and clutch assembly 100'activated to advance the trolley 94 and knife 95 across the conveyor to complete the cut between points B-B *on the hide. Thereafter the trolley generally 94 is returned to its usual position and the-drive motor 190 and knife motor 96 are de-energiZedQ At this time the apparatus is in condition to' receive the next hide and'the attendantprepares to repeat the foregoing steps. As the subsequent'hide'enters the apparatus on conveyor 11, the trimmed hide will be discharged from the opposite end.'"

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made'without departing from thespirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed 'as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improved method for cropping hides comprising: cutting a 'hide s'imultaneously'along two spaced lines across the belly section thereof; cutting said hide along two converging lines across the shoulder area of said hide, said two spaced lines and said converging lines being coextensive; and moving the hideduring the cutting along one of said spaced and converging lines and holdingsaid hide stationary during the cutting along the other of said lines.

2. An improved method for cropping hides comprising: moving a hide in 'a given direction along a path butt end first; cutting the hide simultaneuosly along two spaced lines as the hide is advanced in said direction;

halting the hide when 'said' cutting reaches about the "direction of motion, and the cutting the hide while stationary is performed at a greatera'ngle. v

4. An improved method for cropping hides, comprising: positioning a pair of spaced parallel cutting means at opposite sides of a path; moving a hide in .a given direction along said path'into said cutting imeans butt end first; simultaneously moving said spaced cutting means toward'one another soas to cut said-hide while moving at an angle to said daemon of motion; halting said hldewhen said cutting nieans'have cut to points adjacent the shoulder area of the hide; turning the cutting means to a greater angle to said direction; and advancing said cutting means generally oppositeto said given direction while the hide is haltedto extend the cuts across the shoulder of the hide'at a greater angle to said direction.

5. An improved method for cropping hides comprising: positioning a pair of spaced parallel cutting means at opposite sides of a path; moving a hide at a certain speed in a given direction along said path into said cutting means, butt end first; lifting and cutting the side of leather at each of said cutting means; simultaneously moving said spaced cutting means toward'one another at a rate pro,-

portionate to said certain speed so as to describe cuts along the belly of said hide at an angle of about three deto the centerline of said hide; and advancing said knives generally opposit'e to said given direction while said hide is halted to extend said belly cuts across the shoulder of the hide.

6. The meth'odof claim 5 wherein the hide is subse quently cut transversely between said points at about the shoulder area "of the'hide'." i

' References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,437,309 Hughes Nov. 28, 1922 1,895,025 Dean Jan. 24, 1933 2,040,364 Dean May 12, 1936 2,830;661 Trostel Apr.'l5, 1958 2,946,251 Engel July 26, 1960 

1. AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR CROPPING HIDES COMPRISING: CUTTING A HIDE SIMULTANEOUSLY ALONG TWO SPACED LINES ACROSS THE BELLY SECTION THEREOF; CUTTING SAID HIDE ALONG TWO CONVERGING LINES ACROSS THE SHOULDER AREA OF SAID HIDE, SAID TWO SPACED LINES AND SAID CONVERGING LINES BEING COEXTENSIVE; AND MOVING THE HIDE DURING THE CUTTING ALONG ONE OF SAID SPACED AND CONVERGING LINES AND HOLDING SAID HIDE STATIONARY DURING THE CUTTING ALONG THE OTHER OF SAID LINES. 